This publication presents summary data on selected sport and physical recreation occupationsfrom the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. The occupations included are derived from those that appear in the Australian Culture and Leisure Classifications (ACLC), 2008 (Second Edition) (cat. no. 4902.0).

The tables show the number and selected characteristics, such as sex, age, state of usual residence, Indigenous status, industry, industry sector, hours of work and income of persons in Australia employed in a sport or physical recreation occupation as their main job at the time of the 2011 Census.

In the 2011 Census 95,590 persons were employed in sport and physical recreation occupations, an increase of 17% compared with the 2006 Census.

Of those employed in a sport and physical recreation occupation, the largest numbers were reported for Fitness Instructors (21,514 persons), Greenkeepers (11,345 persons) and Swimming Coaches or Instructors (10,281 persons). Since 2006, the number of Fitness Instructors and Swimming Coaches or Instructors increased by 36% and 26% respectively, while the number of Greenkeepers fell 7%.

There were more males (58%) than females (42%) employed in sport and physical recreation occupations. Males strongly dominated the Footballer (99%), Gunsmith and Boat Builder and Repairer occupations (both 98%), as well as the Greenkeeper (97%) and Golfer (95%) occupations. Females predominantly worked as Horse Riding (85%), Gymnastics (81%) and Swimming (76%) Coaches or Instructors.

The 20–24 year age group had the largest number of persons (18%) employed in sport and physical recreation occupations, of which 23% were Fitness Instructors.

The most common sport occupations held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons are Greenkeepers (22%), Fitness Instructors (11%), Recreation Officers (9%) and Footballers (8%).

Less than half (40%) of persons, whose main job was in a sport and physical recreation occupation, were in employed in a Sport and Physical Recreation industry. Of these people, the most popular industry was Health and Fitness Centres and Gymnasia Operation (27%).

The private sector engaged over 90% of persons employed in sport and physical recreation occupations.

Just over half (55%) of persons employed in sport and physical recreation occupations worked part-time (i.e. less than 35 hours), with 30% working 15 hours or less.

The majority of persons employed as Sport Umpires (96%), Swimming Coaches or Instructors (90%) and Gymnastics Coaches or Instructors (85%) worked part-time. Conversely, the majority of persons employed as Horse Trainers (81%) and Boat Builders and Repairers (80%) worked full-time.

In line with the prevalence of part-time work, over half (60%) of persons employed in sport and physical recreation occupations received a total weekly income between $200 and $999, while 20% received $1,000 per week or more and 19% received less than $200 per week.

More than 60% of Footballers who reported their main job as being a sport and physical recreation occupation, received a weekly income of $1,000 or higher. In comparison, 86% of Sports Umpires and approximately half of the Hunting Guides and Gymnastics Coaches or Instructors received less than $200 per week.

Information on terms used in this publication can be found in the Explanatory Notes. More detailed information on the classifications used in the Census is available in the Census Dictionary, 2011 (cat. no. 2901.0).

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